Global News Scan

News Scan – World, 25th July 2017

"Share this post on social media, spread the news"

US Senate votes to debate GOP health care bill

With Vice President Mike Pence breaking a 50-50 tie, the Senate voted by a hair Tuesday to start debating Republican legislation to tear down much of the Obama health care law. The vote gives President Donald Trump and GOP leaders a crucial initial victory but launches a weeklong debate promising an uncertain final outcome.

The 51-50 vote kept alive hopes of delivering on promises that countless Republican candidates have campaigned on for years — repealing President Barack Obama’s 2010 health care overhaul. It also averted what would have been a blistering defeat for a party divided between fervent conservatives demanding the evisceration of Obama’s statute and centrists intent on not pulling coverage away from millions of Americans.

Pence presided over the Senate during the vote, which began after dozens of protesters shouted “Kill the bill” and “Shame” from the chamber’s visitors’ gallery.

https://www.dailysabah.com/americas/2017/07/25/us-senate-votes-to-debate-gop-health-care-bill

Hezbollah a threat to Lebanon and entire Middle East: Trump

S President Donald Trump called the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah a threat to the entire Middle East on Tuesday, accusing it and Iran of fueling a humanitarian disaster in Syria.

“Hezbollah is a menace to the Lebanese state, the Lebanese people and the entire region,” Trump said at a joint press conference alongside Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the White House.

“The group continues to increase its military arsenal which threatens to start yet another conflict with Israel… With the support of Iran, the organization is also fueling humanitarian catastrophe in Syria.”

https://www.dailysabah.com/mideast/2017/07/25/hezbollah-a-threat-to-lebanon-and-entire-middle-east-trump

Lift siege before dialogue, Qatar tells Gulf countries

Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah has conditioned the lifting of a blockage imposed on his country by four Arab states before engaging in any dialogue with its neighbors.

“Lifting the siege should precede any dialogue,” al-Attiyah said in an interview with Russia Today, excerpts of which was published by Qatar’s official news agency on July 25.

Qatar has been reeling under a blockage imposed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain since last month.

The four states accuse Doha of interfering in their affairs and supporting terrorism, a claim dismissed by Qatar, which contends that the blockade was in violation of international law.

“If the blockade countries remain reluctant to lift the siege, Qatar will be compelled to resort to the available international legal procedures to lift it,” al-Attiyah said.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/lift-siege-before-dialogue-qatar-tells-gulf-countries.aspx?pageID=238&nID=115957&NewsCatID=352

US House of Representatives votes on new sanctions against Russia

The House is voting on a bill that would impose new sanctions against Russia and require US President Donald Trump to get permission from Congress before lifting or easing the existing sanctions. The bill also includes economic penalties against Iran and North Korea.
US lawmakers are seeking to punish Russia over a host of issues including its alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election, its support of the Syrian government, alleged support of the rebels in Ukraine, as well as Crimea’s accession to Russia.

The sanctions target a wide array of entities and individuals – including Russia’s energy sector, banks, weapons manufacturers as well as those whom the US has accused of interfering in the presidential election through hacking and otherwise.

https://www.rt.com/usa/397474-house-representatives-sanctions-russia/

Chinese interception of US spy plane ‘legal, necessary & professional’ – Beijing

The interception of a US spy plane by two Chinese jets over the Yellow Sea was “legal, necessary, [and] professional,” Beijing said, adding that such flights by Washington threaten China’s national security.
“Close-in reconnaissance by US aircraft threatens China’s national security, harms Sino-US maritime and air military safety, endangers the personal safety of both sides’ pilots and is the root cause of unexpected incidents,” Defense Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said.

The actions of the Chinese jets’ pilots were “legal, necessary and professional” and conducted “in accordance with the law and the rules,” he added.

The statement comes after US officials told local media that an American surveillance plane was intercepted by two Chinese jets on Sunday.

https://www.rt.com/news/397436-china-us-jets-interception/

25.07.2017
compiled by Editor BTT

This is a news-scan from major sources and internet sites. However, we do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.

EDIRNE POP UP BANNER